"Howdidyoudiscoverthat？"heasked。
"Dr。McLaneandItookthehandkerchieftoalaboratoryandthechemistfoundfromthenumberofparticlesofcapsulesinthehandkerchief，thatatleasttwocapsules—ordoubletheusualdose—hadbeencrushedbyTurnbullandthefumesinhaledbyhim;
withfatalresults。"
"Holdon，"cautionedKent。"Intheflurryofthemoment，Turnbullmayhaveaccidentallyputtwocapsulesinthehandkerchief，meaningonlytouseone。"
"Mr。Kent，"thedetectivespokeimpressively，"thatwasn’tTurnbull’shandkerchief。"
"Nothisownhandkerchief！"exclaimedKent。"Then，areyousurethatTurnbullusedit？"
"Yes;thatfactisestablishedbyreputablewitnesses;Dr。Stone，Mr。Clymer，andthedeputymarshal，"Fergusonspokewithincreasingearnestness。"Thatisawoman’shandkerchief—lookatit。"
FergusonlaidthelittlebundleonthebroadarmofKent’schairandwithinfinitecarefoldedbacktheedgesofthehandkerchief，revealingashedidso，thesmallparticlesofcapsulesstillclingingtothelinen。ButKenthardlyobservedthecapsules，hisentireattentionbeingcenteredononecornerofthehandkerchief，whichhadneatlyembroideredonittheletter"B。"
CHAPTERVI
STRAIGHTQUESTIONSANDCROOKEDANSWERS
ColonelMcIntyre，withanangrygesture，threwdownthenewspaperhehadbeenreading。
"Doyoumeantosay，Helen，thatyoudeclinetogotothesupperto—nightonaccountofthedeathofJimmie’Turnbull？"heasked。
"Yes，father。"
McIntyreflushedadarkred;hewasnotaccustomedtosceneswitheitherofhisdaughters，andherewasHelenfloutinghisauthorityandBarbarabackingherup。
"Itisquitetimethispretenseisdropped，"heremarkedstiffly。
"YouwerenotengagedtoJimmie—wait，"assheattemptedtointerrupthim。"Youtoldmethenightoftheburglarythathewasnothingtoyou。’"
"Iwasmistaken，"Helen’svoiceshook，shewasveryneartotears。
"WhenIsawJimmielyingthere，dead"—shefaltered，andhershouldersdroopedforlornly—"theworldstoppedforme。"
"Hystericalnonsense！"McIntyrewascarefultoavoidBarbara’seyes;
herindignantsnorthadbeenindicativeofherfeelings。"Keeptoyourroom，Helen，untilyouregainsomecommonsense。Itisaswellourfriendsshouldnotseeyouinyourpresentframeofmind。"
Helenregardedherfatherunderloweredlids。"Verywell，"shesaidsubmissivelyandwalkedtowardthedoor;onreachingitshepaused，andspokeoverhershoulder。"Don’ttrymetoofar，father。"
McIntyrestaredforafullminuteatthedoorwaythroughwhichHelentookherdeparture。
"Well，whatthe—"HepulledhimselfupshortinthemiddleoftheejaculationandturnedtoBarbara。"Goandgetdressed，"hedirected。
"Wemustleavehereintwentyminutes。"
"Iamnotgoing，"sheannounced。
"Notgoing！"McIntyrefrowned，thenlaughedabruptly。"Now，don’ttellmeyouwereengagedtoJimmieTurnbull，also。"
"Ithinkyouarehorrid！"Barbara’ssmallfootcamedownwithavigorousstamp。
"Well，perhapsIam，"herfatheradmittedratherwearily。"Don’tkeepuswaiting，Babs;thecarwillbehereinlessthantwentyminutes。"
"But，father，Iprefertostayathome。"
AndIprefertohaveyouaccompanyus，"retortedMcIntyre。"Come，Barbara，wecannotbediscourteoustoMrs。Brewster;sheisourguest，andthissupperisforherentertainment。"
"Well，takeher。"Barbarawasopenlyrebellious。
"Barbara！"Histonecausedhertolookathiminwonder;insteadofthesternrebukesheexpected，hisvoicewasalmostwheedling。
"IcannotverywelltakeMrs。Brewstertoacafatthishourwithoutcausinggossip。"
"Oh，fiddle—sticks！"exclaimedBarbara。"Idon’thavetoplaychaperonforyoutwo。Everyoneknowssheisvisitingus;what’sthereimproperinyourtakingherouttosupper？Why"—regardinghimcritically—"she’syoungenoughtobeyourdaughter！"
"Gotoyourroom！"TherewasnothingwheedlingaboutMcIntyreatthatinstant;hewasthoroughlyincensed。
AsBarbaraspedouthappyinhavinggainedherway，sheannounced，asapartingshot，"IfyoucanbenastytoHelen;father，Icanbenasty，too。"
ColonelMcIntyrebroughthisfistdownonasmokingtablewithsuchforcethathescattereditscontentsoverthefloor。Whenherosefrompickingupthedebris，hefoundMrs。Brewsterathiselbow。
"CanIhelp？"sheasked。
"No，thanks，everythingisbackinplace。"Hepulledforwardachairforher。"IfagreeabletoyouIwilltelephoneBenClymerthatwewillstopforhimandtakehimwithustotheCafSt。
Marks;orwouldyouprefersomeotherman？"
"Oh，no。"Shethrewhereveningwrapacrossthesofaandsatdown。
"Arethegirlsready？"
"They—theyareindisposed，andwon’tbeabletogoto—night。"
"What！Bothgirls？"
"Yes，both"—firmly，not，however，meetinghereyes。
"Hadn’tIbetterstaywiththem？"sheasked。"HaveyoutelephonedorDr。Stone？"
"Thereisnonecessityforgivingupourlittlespree，"hedeclaredcheerily。"Thegirlsdon’tneedaphysician。They"—withmeaning，"needamother’scare。"Hepickeduphercoronationscarffromthefloorwhereithadslippedandlaiditacrossherbareshoulders;
theactionwasalmostacaress。Shemadealovelypictureasshesatinthehigh—backedcarvedchairinherchiceveninggown，andashersoftdarkeyesmethisardentlook，McIntyrefeltthehotbloodsurgetohistemples，andwithquickenedpulsehewenttothetelephonestandandgaveCentralanumber。
BackinherchairMrs。Brewstersatthoughtfullywatchinghim。ShehadbeenanunobservedwitnessofthescenewithBarbara，havingenteredthelibraryintimetohearthegirl’slastremarks。ItwasnotthefirstinklingthatshehadhadoftheirdisapprovalofColonelMcIntyre’sattentionstoher，butithadhurt。
Thewidowhadbecomeacquaintedwiththetwinswhen，travelinginEuropejustbeforetheoutbreakoftheWorldWar，andhadmadethehastytripbacktothiscountryintheircompany。ColonelMcIntyrehadplannedtobringthetwins，thenatschoolinParis，homehimself，butbusinesshadkepthimintheWestandhehadcabledtoaspinstercousintochaperonthemonthetripacrosstheAtlanticOcean。NorhadhereachedNewYorkintimetoseethemdisembark，andthushadmissedmeetingMrs。Brewster，theninherfirstyearofwidowhood。
ThefriendshipbetweenthetwinsandMrs。Brewsterhadbeenkeptupthroughmuchcorrespondence，andthewidowhadfinallypromised，tocometoWashingtonfortheirdebut，visitinghercousins，Dr。
andMrs。Stone。Themeetinghadbutcementedthefriendshipbetweenthem，andatthetwins’urgentrequest，secondedwithwarmthbyColonelMcIntyre，shehadpromisedtospendthemonthofAprilattheMcIntyrehome。
Thevisitwasnearlyover。Mrs。Brewstersighedfaintly。Thereweretwocoursesopentoher，immediatedeparture，ortocontinuetoignorethetwins’strangelyantagonisticbehavior—thefirstcoursedidnotsuitMrs。Brewster’splans。
Barbara，whohadleftthelibrarythroughoneofitssevendoors，hadfailedtoseeMrs。Brewsterbytheslightestmargin;shewasintentonlyonbeingwithHelen。Theaffectionbetweenthetwinswasveryclose;butwhiletheirfacialresemblancewasremarkable，theirnaturesweretotallydissimilar。Helen，theelderbytwentyminutes，wasstudious，shy，andtoomuchgiventointrospection;Barbara，onthecontrary，waswhimsicalandpracticalbyturns，withagreatcapacityforenjoyment。Thetwinshadmadetheirdebutjointlyontheireighteenthbirthday，andwhilebothwerepopular，Barbarahadreceivedthegreateramountofattention。
Barbaratip—toedintothesuiteofroomswhichthegirlsoccupiedoverthelibrary，expectingtofindHelenlyingonthelounge;
instead，shefoundherwritingbusilyatherdesk。Shetosseddownherpenashersisterentered，and，takingupablotter，carefullylaiditacrossthepageshehadbeenwriting。
"Thankheaven，Idon’thavetogotothatsupperparty，"Barbaraannounced，throwingherselffulllengthonthelounge。
"Sofathergaveitup，"commentedHelen。"Iamglad。"
"Gaveupnothing，"retortedhersister。"HeandMargaretBrewsteraregoing。"
"What！"Helenwasonherfeet。"Youletthemgooutalonetogether？"
"Theycan’tbealoneiftheyaretogether，"answeredBarbarapractically。"Don’tbesilly，Helen。"
Helendidnotansweratonce;shehadgrownsingularlypale。Walkingovertothewindowsheglancedintothestreet。"Thecarhasn’tcome，"sheexclaimed，andconsultedherwristwatch。"Hurry，Babs，youhavejust，timetodressandgowiththem。"
"B—b—butIsaidIwouldn’tgo，"stutteredBarbara，completelytakenbysurprise。
"Nomatter;tellfatheryouhavechangedyourmind。"Helenheldoutherhand。"Come，topleaseme，"andtherewasaworldofwistfulappealinherhazeleyeswhichBarbarawasunabletoresist。
ItwasnotuntilBarbarahadcompletedherhastytoiletandafranticdashdownstairsintimetospringintothewaitinglimousineafterMargaretBrewster，thatsherealizedshehadputononeofHelen’seveninggownsandnotherown。
BenjaminClymerwasstandinginthevestibuleoftheSaratoga，wherehemadehishome，whentheMcIntyrelimousinedrewup，andhedidnotkeepthemwaiting，asColonelMcIntyrehadpredictedhewouldonthedrivetoClymer’sapartmenthouse。
"TheclerkgavemeyourmessagewhenIcamein，McIntyre，"heexplainedasthecardroveoff。IcalledupyourresidenceandGrimessaidyouwereonthewayhere。"
Barbara，tuckedawayinhercornerofthelimousine，listenedtoMrs。Brewster’sanimatedchatterwithutterlackofinterest;shewishedmostheartilythatshehadnotbeenover—persuadedbyhersister，andhadremainedathome。Thatherfatherhadacceptedherlameexplanationandherpresenceinthepartywithunaffectedpleasurehadbeenplain。Mrs。Brewster，afteraquietinquiryregardingherhealth，hadbeenlessenthusiasticinherwelcome。
BarbarawasjuststiflingayawnwhenthelimousinestoppedattheentrancetotheCafSt。Marks。
Insidethecafallwaslightandgaiety，andBarbarabrightenedperceptiblyastheattentiveheadwaiterusheredthemtothetableColonelMcIntyrehadreservedearlierintheevening。
"It’sanovelideaturningtheoldchurchintoacaf，"BarbararemarkedtoBenjaminClymer。"AsortofcastingbreaduponthewatersoffamishedWashington。Iwonderiftheyeverturnwaterintowine？"
"Nosuchluck，"groanedClymerdismally，lookingwithdistasteatthesparklinggrapejuicebeingpouredintotheerstwhilechampagnegobletbyhisplate。"Thecafiscrowdedto—night，"
andhegazedwithinterestabouttheroom。ColonelMcIntyre，whohadloiteredbehindtospeaktoseveralfriendsatanadjacenttable，tooktheunoccupiedseatbyMrs。BrewsterandwassooninanimatedconversationwiththewidowandClymer;Barbara，herhealthyappetiteassertingitself，devotedherentireattentiontothedeliciousdelicaciesplacedbeforeher。Thearrivaloftheafter—the—theatercrowdawokeherfromherabstraction，andsheacceptedClymer’sinvitationtodancewithalacrity。WhentheyreturnedtothetableshediscoveredthatMargaretBrewsterandherfatherhadalsojoinedthedancers。
BarbarawatchedthemwhilekeepingupadisjointedconversationwithClymer，whoseabsentmindedremarksfinallydrewBarbara’sattention，andshewonderedwhathadcomeoverthegenerallyentertainingbanker。Itwasonthetipofhertonguetoaskhimthereasonforhisdistraitmannerwhenherthoughtsweredivertedbyhisnextremark。
"YourfatherandMrs。Brewstermakeafinecouple，"hesaid。
"ColonelMcIntyreisthemostdistinguishedlookingmaninthecafandMrs。Brewsterisaregularbeauty。"
InsteadofreplyingBarbaraturnedinherseatandscannedherfatherasheandMrs。Brewsterpassedtheminthedance。ColonelMcIntyredidnotlookhisageofforty—sevenyears。Hishair，prematurelygray，hadamostattractivewavetoit，andhiserectandfinelyproportionedfigureshowedtoadvantageinhiswell—cutdresssuit。Barbara’sheartswelledwithpride—herdearandhandsomefather！ThenshetransferredherregardtoMargaretBrewster;shehadbeensuchasatisfactoryfriend—whyoh，whydidshewishtobecomeherstep—mother？Thetwins，withtheunerringinstinctofwomanhood，haddecidedtendaysbeforethatWeller’swarningtohissonwastimely—Mrs。Brewsterwasamostdangerouswidow。
"Howisyoursister？"inquiredClymer，breakingthesilencewhichhadlastednearlyfiveminutes。Hewasneverquitecertainwhichtwinhewastalkingto，andgenerallysolvedtheproblembyfamiliarizinghimselfwiththeirmodeofdress。Theplanhadnotalwaysworkedasthetwinshadabewilderinghabitofexchangingclothes，totheenjoymentofBarbara’smischieflovingsoul，andthemystificationoftheirnumerousadmirers。
"Sheisratherblueanddepressed，"answeredBarbara。"WearebothfeelingthereactionfromtheshockofJimmieTurnbull’stragicdeath。YoumustforgivemeifIamabore;Iamnotgoodcompanyto—night。"
ThearrivaloftheheadwaiterattheirtableinterruptedClymer’sreply。
"Thisgentlemandesirestospeaktoyouamoment，MissMcIntyre，"
hesaid，andindicatedayoungmaninasacksuitstandingjustbackofhim。
"I’mParkerofthePost，"thereporterintroducedhimselfwithabowwhichincludedClymer。"MayIsitdown？"layinghishandonthebackofMrs。Brewster’svacantchair。
"Surely;andwon’tyouhaveanice？"Barbara’shospitableinstinctswerearoused。"Here，waiter—"
"No，thanks;Ihaven’ttime，"protestedParker，slippingintothechair。"Ijustcamefromyourhouse，MissMcIntyre;thebutlersaidImightfindyouhere，andasitwasratherimportant，Itookthelibertyofintroducingmyself。Weplantorunastory，featuringthedangersofmasqueradinginsociety，andofcourseithingesonthedeathofMr。Turnbull。I’msorry"—heapologizedashesawBarbarawince。"Irealizethetopicisonetomakeyoufeelbadly;
butIpromisetoaskonlyfewquestions。"HissmilewasveryengagingandBarbara’sresentmentrecededsomewhat。
"Whatarethey？"sheasked。
"DidyourecognizeMr。Turnbullinhisburglar’smake—upwhenyouconfrontedhiminthepolicecourt？"Parkerdrewoutcopypaperandapencil，andwaitedforherreply。Therewasapause。
"IdidnotrecognizeMr。Turnbullincourt，"shestatedfinally。
"Hisdeathwasafrightfulshock。"
"Sure。Itwastoeverybody，"agreedParker。"Howaboutyoursister，MissBarbara;didsherecognizehim？"
"No。"faintly。
Parkershowedhisdisappointment;hewasnotelicitingmuchinformation。AbruptlyheturnedtoClymer，whoseprominentpositioninthefinancialworldmadehimafamiliarfiguretoallWashingtonians。
"Weren’tyoupresentinthepolicecourtonTuesdaymorningalso？"
Parkerasked。
"Yes，"Clymermodifiedthecurtmonosyllablebyadding，"IhelpedDr。StonecarryTurnbulloutoftheprisoners’cageandintotheanteroom。"
"Anddidyourecognizeyourcashier？"demandedParker。AtthequestionBarbarasetdownhergobletofwaterwithoutcareforitsperishablequalityandlookedwithquickintentnessatthebanker。
"IrecognizedMr。Turnbullwhenhiswigwasremoved，"answeredClymer，raisinghisheadintimetocatchBarbara’seyesgazingsteadfastlyathim。Withafaintflushsheturnedherattentiontothereporter。
"Mr。Turnbull’smake—upmusthavebeensuperfine，"Parkerremarked。
"Justonemorequestion。CanyoutellmeifMr。PhilipRochesterrecognizedhisroom—matewhenhewasdefendinghimincourt？"
"No，Icannot，"andobservingParker’sblankexpression，sheadded，"whydon’tyouaskMr。Rochester？"
"BecauseIcan’tlocatehim;heseemstohavevanishedoffthefaceoftheglobe。"Thereporterrose。"Youcan’ttellmewhere’she’sgone，Isuppose？"
"Ihaven’tthefaintestidea，"answeredBarbaratruthfully。"Iwasathisofficethis—"shestoppedabruptlyonfindingthatMrs。
Brewsterwasstandingjustbehindher。Hadthewidowbychanceoverheardherremark？Ifso，herfatherwouldprobablylearnofhervisittotheofficeofRochesterandKentthatmorning。
"DoIunderstandthatPhilipRochesterisoutoftown？"inquiredMrs。
Brewster。"Why，Ihadanappointmentwithhimto—morrow。"
"He’sgoneandleftnoaddressthatIcanfind，"explainedParker。
"Thankyou，MissMcIntyre;goodevening，"andthebusyreporterhurriedaway。
TherewasacuriousexpressioninMrs。Brewster’seyes，butshedroppedhergazeonherfingerbowltooquicklyforClymertoanalyzeitsmeaning。
"WhatcanhavetakenMr。Rochesteroutoftown？"sheasked。Thequestionwasnotaddressedtoanyoneinparticular，butColonelMcIntyreansweredit，ashedidmostofthewidow’sremarks。
"DryWashington，"heexplained。"Itisn’tthefirsttripPhiliphasmadetoBaltimoresincethe’dry’lawhasbeeninforce，eh，Clymer？"
"No，anditwon’tbehislast，"wasthebanker’sresponse。"What’sthematter，MissMcIntyre？"asBarbarapushedbackherchair。
"Ifeelalittlefaint，"shestammered。"Theairhereis—isstifling。Ifyoudon’tmind，father，I’lltakethecaranddrivehome。"
"I’llcomewithyou，"announcedMrs。Brewster，risinghurriedly;
andassheturnedsolicitouslytoaidBarbarashecaughtColonelMcIntyre’sadmiringglanceandhiswhisperedthanks。
OutsidethecafClymerdiscoveredthattheMcIntyrelimousinewasnottobefound，and，cautioningBarbaraandthewidowtoremainwheretheywere，hewentbackintothecafinsearchofColonelMcIntyre，whohadstayedbehindtopayhisbill。
Asuddenexodusfromthecafasotherdinerscameouttogettheircars，separatedBarbarafromMrs。Brewsterjustastheformercaughtsightofherfather’slimousinecomingaroundMcPhersonSquare。Notwaitingtoseewhathadbecomeofhercompanion，Barbarastartedupthesidewalkintentoncatchingtheirchauffeur’sattention。Asshestoodbythecurb，afigurebrushedbyherandapaperwasdeftlyslippedinsideherhand。
Barbarawheeledaboutabruptly。Shestoodalone，exceptforseveralelaboratelydressedwomenandtheircompanionssomeyardsawaywhowereindulginginnoisytalkastheyhurriedalong。AtthatmomenttheMcIntyrelimousinestoppedatthecurbandthechauffeuropenedthedoor。
"Takemehome，Harris，"sheordered。"AndthencomebackforMrs。
Brewsterandfather。Idon’tfeelwell—hurry。"
"Verygood，miss，"andtouchinghiscapthechauffeurswunghiscarupFifteenthStreet。
ThelimousinehadturnedintoMassachusettsAvenuebeforeBarbaraswitchedontheelectriclampinthecarandopenedthenotesomysteriouslygiventoher。ShereadfeverishlythefewlinesitcontainedDearHelen：
Thecoronerwillcallaninquest。Secreteletter"B。"
ThenotewasunsignedbutitwasinthehandwritingofPhilipRochester。
CHAPTERVII
THEREDSEAL
Thegloomymorning，withleadenskiesandintermittentrain，reflectedHarryKent’sstateofmind。HecouldnotfixhisattentiononthebusinessletterswhichSylvesterplacedbeforehim;
instead，histhoughtsrevertedtothesceneinRochester’sandTurnbull’sapartmentthenightbefore，theelusivevisitorhehadfoundthereonhisarrival，hisinterviewwithDetectiveFerguson，andaboveallthehandkerchief，saturatedwithamylnitrite，andbearingthesmallembroideredletter"B"—theinitial，insignificantinsize，butfraughtwithdirepossibilitiesif，asFergusonhinted，Turnbullhadbeenputtodeathbyanover—doseofthedrug。"B"
—Barbara;Barbara—"B"—hismindrangthechanges;pshaw！othernamesthanBarbarabeganwith"B。"
"ShallItranscribeyournotes，Mr。Kent？"askedSylvester，andKentawakenedfromhisreverie，discoveredthathehadscrawledthenameBarbaraandcapital"Bs"onthewritingpad。Hetoreoffthesheetandcrumpleditintoasmallball。"No，mynotesareunimportant"
Kentunlockedhisdeskandtooksomemanuscriptfromoneofthedrawers。"Makefourcopiesofthisbrief，thencalluptheprinterandaskhowsoonhewillcompletetheworkonhand。HasMr。Clymertelephoned？
"Notthismorning。"Sylvesterrose，papersinhand。"TherehasbeenaMr。ParkerofthePostwhotelephonesregularlyonceanhourtoaskforMr。Rochester’saddressandwhenheisexpectedattheoffice。"
HepausedandlookedinquiringlyatKent。"WhatshallIsaythenexttimehecalls？"
"Switchhimonmyphone，"briefly。"Thatisallnow，Sylvester。
Imustbeincourtbynoon，sohavethebriefcopiedbyeleven。"
"Yes，sir，"andSylvesterdeparted，onlytoreturnasecondlater。
"MissMcIntyretoseeyou，"heannounced，andstoodasidetoallowthegirltoenter。
ItwasthefirsttimeKenthadseenHelensincethetragedyofTuesday，andasheadvancedtogreetherhenotedwithconcernherairofdistressandthetroubledlookinhereyes。Hercomposedmannerwasobviouslyonlymaintainedbytheexertionofself—control，forthehandsheofferedhimwasunsteady。
"Youaresokind，"shemurmuredasheplacedachairforher。"Babstoldmeyouhavepromisedyouraid，andsoIhavecome—"shepressedonehandtohersideasifshefoundbreathingdifficultandKent，reachingforhispitcheroficewaterwhichstoodnearathand，filledatumblerandgaveittoher。
"Takealittle，"hecoaxedasshemovedasiftorefusetheglass。
"Whydidn’tyoutelephoneandIwouldhavecalledonyou;infact，Iplannedtoruninandseeyouthisafternoon。
"Itiswisertohaveourtalkhere，"shereplied。Settingdowntheemptyglassshegazedabouttheofficeandherfacebrightenedatsightofasafestandinginonecorner。"IsthatyoursorPhilip’s？"
sheasked，pointingtoit。
"Thesafe？Oh，it’sforourjointuse，ownedbythefirm，youknow，"
explainedKent，somewhatpuzzledbyhereagerness。
"Doyoukeepyourprivatepapersthere，aswellasthefirm’s？"’
"Oh，yes;PhiliphasretainedonesectionandItheother。"Kentwalkedoverandthrewopenthemassivedoorwhichhehadunlockedonenteringtheofficeandleftajar。"Wouldyouliketoseethearrangementsofthecompartments？"
WithoutansweringHelencrossedtheroomandstoodbyhisside。
"WhichisPhilip’ssection？"sheasked。
"This，"andKenttouchedthesideofthesafe。
Helenturnedaroundandinspectedtheoffice;theouterdoorthroughwhichshehadenteredwasclosed，aswerealsotheprivatedoorleadingdirectlyintotheoutsidecorridor，andtheoneopeningintothecloset。Convincedthattheywerereallyalone，shetookfromherleatherhand—bagawhiteenvelopeandhandedittoKent。
"PleaseputthisinPhilip’scompartment，"shesaid，andashehesitated，sheaddedpleadingly，"Pleasedoit，Harry，andasknoquestions。"
Kentlookedatherwonderingly;thegirlwasobviouslylaboringunderintenseexcitementofsomesort，whichmightatanymomentbreakintohysteria。Bottlinguphiscuriosity，hestoopeddowninfrontofthesafe。
"CertainlyIwillputtheenvelopeawayforyou，"heagreedcheerily。
"Wait，though，ImustfindifPhilipleftthekeyofthecompartmentonhisbunch。"Hetookfromhispocketthekeyshehadfoundsousefulthenightbefore，andselectedonethatresembledthekeytohisowncompartment，andinserteditinthelock。Tohissurprisehediscoveredthecompartmentwasalreadyunlocked。Withoutcommenthepulledopentheinsidedrawerandstartedtolaythewhiteenvelopeontopofthepapersalreadythere，whenhehesitated。
"Theenvelopeisunaddressed，Helen，"heremarked，extendingittowardher。Shewaveditback。
"Itissealedwithredwax，"shestated。"Thatisallthatisnecessaryforidentification。"
Kentturnedovertheenvelope—theflapwashelddownsecurelywithalargeredsealwhichboretheoneletter"B。"Hedroppedtheenvelopeinsidethedrawer，lockedthecompartment，andclosedthedoorofthesafe。
"Letustalk，"hesuggestedandledthewaybacktotheirchairs。
"Helen，"hebegan，aftershewasseated。"ThereisnothingIwillnotdoforyoursisterBarbara，"hismannergrewearnest。"I—"heflushed;baringhisfeelingstoanother，nomatterhowsympatheticthatotherwas，wasforeigntohisreservednature。"Iloveherbeyondwordstoexpress。Itellyouthisto—to—gainyourtrust。"
"Youalreadyhaveit，Harry！"ImpulsivelyHelenextendedherhand，andhehelditinafirmclaspforasecond。"BabsandIhavecomeatoncetoyouinourtrouble。"
"Yes，butyouhaveonlyhintedwhatthattrouble，was，"heremindedhergently。"Icannotreallyaidyouuntilyougivemeyourfullconfidence。"
Helenlookedawayfromhimandoutofthewindow。Therelief，whichhadlightedherfaceamomentbefore，hadvanished。Itwassomeminutesbeforesheanswered。
"BabstoldyouthatIsuspectedJimmiedidnotdiefromanginapectoris—"Shespokewithaneffort。
"Yes。"
Shewaitedasecondbeforecontinuingherremarks。"Ihaveaskedthecoronertomakeaninvestigation。"Shepausedagain，thenaddedwithmoreanimation，"Heistheonetotellusifacrimehasbeencommitted。"
"Hecantellifdeathhasbeenacceleratedbyaweapon，oradrug，"
respondedKent;hewasweighinghiswordscarefullysothatshemightunderstandhimfully。"Buttoconstituteacrime，ithastobeprovedfirst，thattheacthasbeencommitted，andsecond，thataguiltymindormalicepromptedit。CanyoufurnishaclewtoestablisheitherofthelastmentionedfactsinconnectionwithJimmie’sdeath？"
Kentwonderedifshehadheardhim，shewassolonginreplying，andhewasabouttorepeathisquestionwhensheaddressedhim。
"HaveyouheardfromCoronerPenfield？"
"No。Itriedseveraltimestogethimonthetelephone，butwithoutsuccess，"repliedKent;hisdisappointmentatnotreceivingananswertohisquestionshowedinhismanner。"IwenttoPenfield’shouselastnight，buthehadbeencalledawayonacaseand，althoughIwaiteduntilnearlyteno’clock，hehadnotreturnedwhenIleft。Haveyouhadwordfromhim？"
"Not—notdirectly。"Shehadbeennervouslytwistingherhandkerchiefaboutinherfingers;suddenlysheturnedandlookedfullatKent，hereyesburningfeverishly。"IwouldgiveallI
possess，myhopeoffuturehappinesseven，ifIcouldprovethatJimmiediedfromanginapectoris。"
Kentlookedatherinmingledsympathyanddoubt。—Whatdidherwordsimply—furthertragedy？
"Jimmiemightnothavediedfromanginapectoris，"hesaid，"andstillnothavebeenpoisoned—"
"Youmean—"
"Suicide。"
SlowlyHelentookinhismeaning，butshevolunteerednoremark，andKentafterapause，added，"WhileIhavenotseenCoronerPenfieldIdidhearlastnightwhatkilledJimmie。"Helenstraightenedup，onehandpressedtoherheart。"Itwasalethaldoseofamylnitrite。"
"Amylnitrite，"sherepeated。"Yes，Ihaveheardthatitisgivenforhearttrouble。How"—shelookedathimqueerly。"Howisitadministered？"
"Bycrushingacapsuleinahandkerchiefandinhalingitsfumes"
—hewaswatchingherclosely。"ThehandkerchiefJimmiewasseentousejustbeforehediedwasfoundtocontaintwoormorebrokencapsules。"
Helensatimmovableforoveraminute，thenshebowedherheadandburstintodrytearlesssobswhichwrackedherbody。Kentlaidatenderhandonhershoulder，thenconcludingitwasbetterforhertohavehercryout，hewanderedaimlesslyabouttheofficewaitingforhertoregainhercomposure。
HestoppedbeforeoneofthewindowsfacingsouthandstaredmoodilyattheBelascoTheater。Thatplayhousehadsurelyneverstagedamorecomplicatedmysterythantheonehehadsethimselftounravel。
WhatconsolationcouldheofferHelen？IfheencouragedherbeliefinhistheorythatJimmiecommittedsuicidehewouldhavetoestablishamotiveforsuicide，andthatmotivemightprovetobethetheftofColonelMcIntyre’svaluablesecurities。Threatenedwithexposureasathiefandforger，Jimmiehadcommittedsuicide，sowouldruntheverdict;thefactofhissuicidewasproofofhisguiltofthecrimeColonelMcIntyrevirtuallychargedhimwith，andviceversa。
Whathadbeendiscoveredtopointtomurder？Thefindingofahandkerchief，saturatedwithamylnitrite，whichhadnotbelongedtothedeadman。Proof—bah！itwasridiculous！WhatmorelikelythanthatJimmie，whileintheMcIntyrehousebeforehisarrestasaburglar，hadpickeduponeofBarbara’shandkerchiefs，stuffeditinsidehispocket，andwhenthreatenedwithexposureonbeingheldforthegrandjury，had，indesperation，crushedtheamylnitritecapsulesinBarbara’shandkerchiefandkilledhimself。
Kentdrewalong，longsigh。HisfaithinJimmie’shonestywasshakenatlastbytheaccumulativeevidence，andhewasconvincedthathehadfoundthesolutiontotheproblem，buthowimpartittotheweepinggirl？Toproveherloverathief，forger，andsuicidewasindeedataskheshrankfrom。
AringatthetelephonecausedKenttomovehastilytotheinstrument;whenhehungupthereceiverHelenwasadjustingherveilbeforeamirroroverthemantel。
"ColonelMcIntyreisinthenextroom，"hesaid，keepinghisvoicelowered。
"Myfather！"Helen’seyeswerehardanddry。"DoesheknowthatIamhere？"
"Idon’tknow;Sylvestersimplysaidhehadcalledtoseemeandiswaitingintheouteroffice。"Observingherindecision，Kentopenedthedoorleadingdirectlyintothecorridor。"YoucanleavethiswaywithoutencounteringColonelMcIntyre。"
HelenhurriedthroughthedoorandpausedinthecorridortowhisperfeverishlyinKent’sear，"PromisemeyouwillremainfaithfultoBarbarawhateverdevelops。"
"Iwill！"Kent’spledgerangoutclearly，andHelenwithalighterheartturnedtowalkawaywhenatelegraphboyappearedaroundthecornerofthecorridorandthrustayellowenvelopeatKent，whostoodhalfinsidehisofficewatchingHelen。
"Signhere，"theboysaid，indicatingthelineonthereceiptslip，andgettingitback，departed。
MotioningtoHelentowait，Kenttoreopenthetelegram。ItwasfromClevelandanddatedthenightbefore。Themessageran：
CalledtoCleveland。AddressCityClub。Rochester。
WithoutcommentKentheldoutthetelegramsothatHelencouldreadit。
"What！"sheexclaimed。"PhilipinClevelandlastnight。I—I
—don’tunderstand。"AndlookingatherKentwasastoundedattheflashofterrorwhichshoneforaninstantinhereyes。Beforehehadtimetoquestionhersheboltedaroundthecorridor。
Kentremainedstaringaheadforaninstantthenreturnedthoughtfullytohisoffice，andwithinasecondSylvesterreceivedatelephonemessagetoshowColonelMcIntyreintoKent’soffice。NotonlyColonelMcIntyrefollowedtheclerkintotheroombutBenjaminClymer。"Anyfurtherdevelopments，Kent？"inquiredthebanker。
"No，wecan’tsitdown;justdroppedintoseeyouaminute。"
"Thereisnothingnew，"Kenthadmadeinstantdecision;suchinformationregardingthedeathofTurnbullashehadgleanedfromFerguson，andtheeventsofthenightbeforeshouldbeconfidedtoClymeralone，andnotinthepresenceofColonelMcIntyre。
"DidyousearchTurnbull’sapartmentlastnightasyouspokeofdoing？"askedMcIntyre。
"Idid，andfoundnotraceofyoursecurities，Colonel。"
McIntyreliftedhiseyebrowsashesmiledsarcastically。"CanI
seeRochester？"heasked。
"HeisinCleveland;Idon’tknowjustwhenhewillbeback。"
"Indeed？Toobadyouhaven’tthebenefitofhisadvice，"remarkedMcIntyreinsolently。"AtClymer’srequest，Kent，IhaveallowedyouuntilSaturdaynighttofindthesecuritiesandeitherclearTurnbull’snameoradmithisguilt;thereremaintwodaysandahalfbeforeItaketheaffairinmyownhandsandmakeitpublic。"
"IhopetoestablishTurnbull’sinnocencebeforethattime，"retortedKentcoolly。
Inwardlyhisspiritssank;hadnoteveryeffortonhispartbroughtbutfurtherproofofJimmie’sguilt？ThatMcIntyrewouldmakenoattempttohushupthescandalwasobvious。
"Keepmeinformedofyourprogress，"McIntyre’smannerwasdomineeringandKentfeltthebloodmounttohistemples，buthewasdeterminednottolosehistemperwhatevertheprovocation;
McIntyrewasBarbara’sfather。
Clymer，awarethattheatmospherewasgettingstrained，diplomaticallyintervened。
"Dinewithmeto—night，Kent，"hesaid。"Perhapsyouwillthenhavesomenewsthatwillthrowlightonthepresentwhereaboutsofthesecurities。Ifound，onmakinginquiries，thattheyhavenotbeenofferedforsaleintheusualchannels。Come，McIntyre，I
haveadirectors’meetingintwentyminutes。"
McIntyre，whohadbeenswinginghiswalkingstickfromonehandtotheotherinmarkedimpatience，turnedtoKent，hismannermoreconciliatory。
"Pleasantquartersyouhave，"heremarked。"DoesRochestersharehisroomwithyou？"
"No，Colonel，hisisacrosstheante—roomwhereyouwaitedafewminutesago，"explainedKentasheaccompaniedhisvisitorstothedoor。"Thisismyoffice。"
"Ah，yes，Ithoughtasmuchonseeingonlyonedesk，"McIntyre’smannergrewmorecordial。"DoesRochester’sfurnitureduplicateyours，safeandall？"
"Safe—no，hehasnone;thatisthefirm’ssafe。"Kentwasbecomingrestlessundersomanypersonalquestions。"Good—by，Mr。
Clymer。"
"Don’tforgetto—nightateight，"thebankerremindedhimbeforesteppingintothecorridor。"We’lldineattheClubdeVingt。
Comealong，McIntyre。"
SylvesterstoppedKentonhiswaybacktohisofficeandhandedhimtheneatlytypewrittencopiesofhisbrief，andwithawordofthanksthelawyerwentovertohisdeskand，gatheringsuchpapersasherequiredatthecourthouse，hethrustthemandthebriefintohisleatherbag，butinsteadofhurryingonhisway，hestoodstilltoconsidertheeventsofthemorning。
HelenMcIntyre，duringtheirinterview，hadnotrespondedtohisappealforherconfidence，norvouchsafedanyreasonforherbeliefthatJimmieTurnbullhadbeenthevictimoffoulplay。AndColonelMcIntyrehadgivenhimonlyuntilSaturdaynighttosolvetheproblem！Kent’soverwroughtfeelingsfoundventinanemphaticoath。
"Excuseme，"exclaimedSylvestermildlyfromthedoorway。"Iknockedandunderstoodyoutosaycomein。
"Well，whatisit？"Kent’snervesweregettingabitraw;aglanceathiswatchshowedhimhehadaslendermarginonlyinwhichtoreachthecourthouseintimeforhisappointment。Notevenwaitingfortheclerk’sreplyhesnatcheduphisbriefcaseandmadefortheprivatedoorleadingintothecorridor。Buthewasdestinednottogetawaywithoutanotherinterruption。
AsSylvesterwashastilyexplaining，"Twogentlementoseeyou，Mr。
Kent，"theclerkwasthrustasideandDetectiveFergusonentered，accompaniedbyadeputymarshal。
"Sorrytodetainyou，Mr。Kent，"exclaimedthedetective。"IcametotellyouthatCoronerPenfieldhasjustcalledaninquestforthisafternoontoinquireintoJimmieTurnbull’sdeath。Where’syourpartner，Mr。Rochester？"lookingaroundinquiringly。
"InCleveland。Won’tIdo？"repliedKent，hisappointmentforgotteninthenewsthatFergusonhadjustgivenhim。
"No，wedidn’tcomeforlegaladvice，"Fergusonsmiled;thengrewserious。"What’sMr。Rochester’saddress？"
Kentwalkedovertohisdeskandpickedupthetelegram。"TheCityClub，Cleveland，"hestated。
"Thanks，"Fergusonjotteddowntheaddressinhisnote—book。
"Jones，here，"placinghishandonhiscompanion，"cametoserveMr。Rochesterwithasubpoena;he’swantedattheTurnbullinquestasamaterialwitness。"
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